Everything has changed Airbus is no longer a start-up company needing protection. It is delivering more airliners than Boeing and has more than 50% of the firm order backlog. NASA funding for aeronautics R&D has declined while EU funding has increased.
Europe cheats The USA has questioned whether A380 launch aid meets the terms of the bilateral agreement, particularly when state and local funding for A380-related infrastructure improvements in France, Germany, Spain and the UK are included.
It makes a difference Boeing says government loans with low interest and lenient repayments for 33% of the $10-12 billion development cost allowed Airbus to close the A380 business case.
What it wants No more government loans to cover A380 cost overruns and no more launch aid for any new Airbus programme, particularly a rival to the 7E7.
Source: Flight International